Local Leaders Educated On Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is happening right here in Butler County and today, local law enforcement is gathering to learn more about its effect on our community and what can be done to stop it.

Harvard grad and professor at Loyola University in New Orleans Dr. Laura Murphy is in town offering a free training.

“The goal of the training is to help community service providers be able to identify and respond to people in the community who might be trafficked,” Murphy said in an interview.

She says there are several misconceptions when it comes to human trafficking.

By definition, Dr. Murphy said human trafficking is when someone is compelled to work against their will through force, fraud or coercion. Aside from the sex trade, she says that could include people working in agricultural fields, in a hotel or in the entertainment industry.

“We know more about trafficking in other parts of the world than we do in the United States. It’s happening all over the U.S. Not just in big cities, but in rural areas, people can be forced to work.